Photo By Sgt. Whitney N. Frasier | Marines take part in the Depot Competition in Arms Program at Edson Range, Camp...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO — Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego hosted its annual Depot Competition in Arms Program this week after more than a decade since its beginning. An awards ceremony will be held honoring those who were on target with the highest scores at 3 p.m., Feb. 10, at the chapel located aboard Edson Range, Camp Pendleton.
The program includes the use of both the pistol and rifle to encompass a well-rounded firing competition between Marines who fall under the Depot and Western Recruiting Region’s command.
Chief Warrant Officer Sean Flannery, officer in charge, Bravo Range, Range Company, Weapons Field Training Battalion, explained that the competition is approximately 10 days in length each year and is used to structure the MCRD San Diego Shooting Team. The official shooting team will advance to the Western Division Matches in February.
“Anyone is eligible to participate with their commands consent,” said Flannery. “They don’t have to be the best shooters. If they are willing to put in the work, show up the next day and keep a good attitude, I will take them.”
This year, 86 members showed up Jan. 30 to shoot in the competition. Although it’s not the average course of fire Marines are use to for annual qualification, both the rifle and the pistol course is similar.
“The purpose of the program is to strengthen the Marine Corps marksmanship program,” said Flannery. “Getting Marines involved in a competition in anything will make them better at it. Every Marine is still a rifleman.”
Aside from the extra practice the shooters receive, it also benefits the recruiting mission.
“When recruiters come out here and participate [in this event], they can go back and show poolees what they are able to do in the Marine Corps besides their job,” said Flannery.
MCRD San Diego’s shooting team took 6 out of 7 at the intramurals last month against base teams, but this comes to no surprise for them because the advantage they have.
“MCRD has always been a premier shooting team on the West coast because we do it every day,” said Flannery, who is in charge of a range that Marine recruits are coached on. “I’m sure it’s the same for the depot on the East Coast.”
Being an official MCRD San Diego team member has its benefits. For example, the team competes in several non-military competitions every year including Creedmore Cup Matches and the California State Championship. In addition to these competitions, Marines are issued bonus gear, such as jackets, gloves and shooting chairs to assist during the competition. Most importantly, they become knowledgeable of things they would not normally learn on their own just by communicating with of team members.
“I’ve definitely improved because I have learned so much from other competitors,” said Cpl. Angela Newsome, signals intelligence analyst, Range Company, WFTBn. “It’s the most valuable thing about being on the team.”
Newsome, who placed first in the preliminary rifle match also explained that being on the team will improve anyone’s marksmanship skills giving them more confidence in their annual qualifications.
Whether or not the controversy still exists to replace the annual rifle qualification, which is similar to the course of fire for this competition, with a straight combat course, one thing is for sure. Marines like to shoot weapons and thrive on competition.
Competition and Marines just mix well. DCIAP is one of those things we need to keep alive, said Flannery.
For more information, or to try out for the MCRD Shooting Team, contact (760)-725-8921.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2012 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 83681 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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